Harare – The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe has reaffirmed that the sanctions imposed on the country are targeted at specific individuals and not intended to harm the general population. In a statement posted online, the embassy emphasized its commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s development and clarifying the scope of the sanctions.
“We have partnered with the people of Zimbabwe since 1980. Our goal is to support Zimbabwe’s transition from chronic vulnerability to a more resilient, prosperous, and democratic society,” the embassy wrote. “U.S. sanctions are focused on holding corrupt individuals accountable. Only 11 individuals out of 16 million people are sanctioned.”
However, the statement has sparked debate, with some critics arguing that the impact of sanctions is more widespread. An unnamed political analyst challenged the U.S. Embassy’s position, asserting that sanctions tend to affect the broader population, not just the sanctioned individuals.
“Sanctions are not designed to make the targeted individuals suffer; they are meant to affect the masses. The 11 sanctioned individuals are millionaires and lack nothing, but the service delivery to the 16 million people in Zimbabwe has deteriorated,” the analyst said. “The real victims of these sanctions are the ordinary Zimbabweans.”
Zimbabwe has also been designated as a “red card” country, a classification that presents challenges for Zimbabwean nationals abroad. This designation, which labels Zimbabwe as high-risk, has reportedly made it difficult for citizens to open bank accounts or secure business deals internationally. Critics argue that this further demonstrates how sanctions, while officially targeted, indirectly contribute to the suffering of the general population.
The debate over the sanctions continues as Zimbabwe faces ongoing economic and political challenges, with many calling for a reassessment of international policies to alleviate the hardships faced by ordinary citizens.
The U.S. sanctions, first imposed in the early 2000s, have long been a point of contention between the two nations, with Zimbabwe’s government repeatedly claiming that they are responsible for the country’s economic difficulties, a claim Washington denies.
